Three-Dimensional (3D) Illumination Toy or Amusement Device

ABSTRACT

A three-dimensional (3D) illumination toy includes a housing, a single motor for rotating the housing about a first axis and being operably connected to the housing so as to be rotatable therewith, a hub operably connected to the housing and rotatable by the single motor about a second axis, which interacts the first axis at an angle of about 0° to 90°, and at least one arm attached to the hub and including at least one illumination member, such as an LED.

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally directed to toys or amusement devices, and more particularly to a toy or amusement device, which produces myriad 360°, three-dimensional (3D) light patterns.

The toys or devices that use lights to create various patterns have always been of interest to children and the adults alike. It is not uncommon to observe people of all ages at various events, such as birthdays, New Year's Eve, etc., use hand-held devices that upon activation produce colorful and aesthetically pleasing light patterns, especially in the evenings or at night. It is fascinating to see crowds of children and teenagers using these types of illumination devices at, for example, a concert or in an amusement park, such as Disney, Six Flags, etc.

Various light or illumination devices are available in the art as shown in U.S. Patents/Publications Nos. D504,7065; D593,237; U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,960,618; 3,491,374; 5,030,160; 5,401,947; 5,082,422; 5,190,491; 5,269,719; 5,422,796; 6,037,876; 6,175,354B1; 6,589,094B2; 6,592,423B1; 6,802,758B2; 6,994,605B2; 7,161,256B2; 7,179,149B2; 7,361,074B1; 7,445,349B2; 7,766,718B2; 7,771,247B2; 2004/0004828A1; 2004/0105256A1; 2006/0094327A1; 2007/0166148A1; 2009/0099326A1; and 2010/0124867A1; and Foreign FR 2803771; JP 6-285270; and JP 2003-181159.

ASPECTS OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure is directed to various aspects of the present invention.

One aspect of the present invention is to provide a hand-held, illuminated device, which creates an entertaining display of three-dimensional (3D) light patterns.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a toy or amusement device, which produces myriad three-dimensional (3D) light patterns.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a toy or amusement device, which produces myriad variable three-dimensional (3D) light patterns.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a toy or amusement device, which produces myriad 360° three-dimensional (3D) light displays created by concentric light patterns in multiple planes that intersect each other.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a toy or amusement device, which produces myriad 360° three-dimensional (3D) light displays created by multiple concentric circular patterns that intersect in at least two orthogonal planes.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a toy or amusement device, which produces myriad 360° three-dimensional (3D) light displays created by multiple concentric circular patterns that intersect in at least two orthogonal planes, wherein the displays/patterns can be easily changed by varying any one or more of the number of lights, color of lights, intensity of lights, lengths of the arms, locations of the lights on the arms, the light flashing frequency, light flashing speed, rotational speed of the hub carrying the arms, rotational speed of the housing carrying the motor, etc.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a toy or amusement device, which produces a constantly changing 360° three-dimensional (3D) light pattern or display.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a three-dimensional (3D) illumination toy, which includes a housing, a single motor for rotating the housing about a first axis and being operably connected to the housing so as to be rotatable therewith, a hub operably connected to the housing and rotatable by the single motor about a second axis, which intersects the first axis at an angle of about 0° to 90°, and at least one arm attached to the hub and including at least one illumination member.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a three-dimensional (3D) illumination toy, which includes a housing rotatably mounted on a support, a single motor for rotating the housing about a first axis and being disposed inside of the housing so as to be rotatable therewith at least one complete revolution of 360°, a hub operably connected to the housing and rotatable by the single motor about a second axis, which intersects the first axis at an angle of about 0° to 90°, a plurality of arms attached to the hub and each including at least one illumination member, and a first end portion attached to the hub and a second free end portion.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a three-dimensional (3D) illumination toy, which includes a single motor mounted on a support and including an output member, and being rotatable about a first axis, a plurality of arms operably attached to the output member and each including at least one illumination member, the output member being rotatable by the single motor about a second axis, which intersects the first axis at an angle of about 0° to 90°, and each of the arms including a first end portion operably attached to the output member and a second free end portion.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a three-dimensional (3D) illumination toy, which includes a housing, a single motor for rotating the housing about a first axis and being operably connected to the housing so as to be rotatable therewith, a hub operably connected to the housing and rotatable by the single motor about a second axis, which intersects the first axis at an angle of about 0° to 90°; and at least one arm pivotally attached to the hub and including at least one illumination member.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a method of creating a varying three-dimensional (3D) illumination, which includes a) providing an illumination device, including i) a housing rotatably mounted on a support, ii) a single motor for rotating the housing about a first axis, iii) the single motor operably connected to the housing so as to be rotatable therewith, iv) a hub operably connected to the housing and rotatable by the single motor about a second axis intersecting the first axis at an angle of about 0° to 90°, v) a plurality of flexible arms attached to the hub and each including at least one illumination member, and vi) the illumination members being positioned at different points along the lengths of the corresponding arms from the center of the hub, and b) activating the motor to rotate the hub, to thereby rotate the arms to create a plurality of concentric illumination patterns in multiple planes that intersect each other due to simultaneous rotation of the housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One of the above and other aspects, novel features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment(s) of the invention, as illustrated in the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the toy or amusement device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the toy or amusement device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A is a partial, enlarged top cross-sectional view of the device shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 3B is a view similar to FIG. 3A, showing an alternate embodiment of the housing orientation;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 4, showing a first alternate arrangement of the lights;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 4, showing a second alternate arrangement of the lights;

FIGS. 8-9 are views similar to FIG. 1, showing alternate embodiments of the positioning of the arms; and

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 6, showing an alternate embodiment of the arms.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S) OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-3(A-B), the toy or amusement device T, in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, includes a housing 10 rotatably mounted on a support yoke 12, which is connected at the lower end 14 thereof to an elongated handle portion 16. As best shown in FIG. 2, each of the housing 10, support yoke 12, and the handle portion 16, is preferably of a clamshell construction, including cooperating shell portions 10A-B, 12A-B, and 16A-B, respectively (FIG. 2).

The housing 10 supports a hub 18 with preferably three arms 20, 22 and 24, radiating outwardly therefrom. Preferably, the arms 20, 22 and 24 are mounted on the hub 18 so as to be about 120° apart from each other (see FIG. 4). (It is noted herewith that the number and positioning of the arms on the hub can be varied, as desired.)

Each of the arms 20, 22 and 24, is preferably of a generally rigid or flexible construction and is mounted between the hub shells 18A and 18B, and further accommodates therein an illumination or light emitting device/diode (LED) 26. Preferably, the arms 20, 22 and 24, each is made of a translucent, transparent, or opaque, flexible or bendable tubular material, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or polyethylene. The LEDs 26 receive power from the batteries B via wires 28, as described below in more detail.

As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3A-B, the housing 10 accommodates therein a motor 30 mounted generally parallel thereto in a sub-housing 32. A motor output shaft 34 includes a plate 36, which is mounted inside the hub 18 for supplying electrical power to the LEDs 26.

A circular gear 38 is fixedly mounted on the motor output shaft 34 and is in mechanical engagement with a transversely oriented circular rack gear 40, which is fixedly mounted in the support yoke 12. One skilled in the art would readily appreciate that when the motor 30 is actuated, the output shaft 34 would cause the hub 18 to rotate in a plane P₁ about axis Y, and the entire housing 10 carrying the motor 30, to rotate in a transverse plane P₂ about axis X, in complete revolutions of 360° (see FIG. 3A).

As best shown in FIG. 3A, the axes X and Y intersect to form a right angle A. In other words, the axes X and Y are perpendicular to each other. On the other hand, as best shown in FIG. 3B, the Y axis (rotational axis of hub 18) intersects the X axis at angle A, which is less than 90°. In viewing FIG. 3B, therefore, the housing 10 is tilted or angled upwardly relative to the X axis. The angle A is about 0° to 90°, preferably about 45° to 80°, more preferably about 70° to 80°, and most preferably about 75°. One would appreciate that upon actuation of the motor 30, the hub 18 would rotate in a plane P₃ about axis Y, and the housing 10 carrying the motor 30, would rotate in a plane P₄ about axis X, wherein the planes P₃ and P₄ are different from planes P₁ and P₂, shown in the embodiment of FIG. 3A.

An angled housing would produce more attractive off-center pattern of lights, and further prevent the arms from bumping into or interfering with the support yoke 12 and the lower end 14 thereof. It is noted that while in FIG. 3B, both the housing 10 and the motor 30 are shown as tilted upwardly, it is within the scope of the present invention to keep the housing horizontal (as shown in FIG. 3A) and only tilt the motor 30 upwardly within the housing 10 to achieve the same result shown in FIG. 3B.

Referring to FIGS. 4, 6 and 7, various preferred embodiments of the illumination or LEDs 26 will now be described. In one embodiment shown in FIG. 4, each of the arms 20, 22 and 24 includes at least one LED 26. However, the LEDs 26 are positioned at increasing radial distances D₁, D₂, D₃, from the center 44 of the hub 18, in the arms 20, 24 and 26, respectively.

One would appreciate that the LED 26 in the arm 20 is closest to the center 44 of the hub 18, while the LED 26 in the arm 22 is farthest, and the LED 26 in the arm 24 is between the LEDs in the arms 20 and 22. This arrangement would produce three distinct concentric lighted circles C₁, C₂, and C₃.

FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment in which preferably at least two LEDs 26 are provided in each of the arms 20 and 24, and at least one LED 26 in the arm 22. As shown, the two LEDs 26 in the arm 20, the two LEDs 26 in the arm 24, and the one LED 26 in the arm 22, are all positioned at increasing distances D₄, D₅, D₆, D₇, and D₈, from the center 44 of the hub 18. As a result, five distinct concentric lighted circles C₄, C₅, C₆, C₇, and C₈ would be produced.

The embodiment disclosed in FIG. 7, is similar to the embodiment in FIG. 6, with the exception that the LEDs 26 are positioned exterior of the arms 20, 22, and 24, preferably at the tips thereof. The LEDs 26 are likewise positioned at increasing radial distances D₉, D₁₀, D₁₁, D₁₂, and D₁₃, to produce five distinct concentric lighted circles C₉, C₁₀, C₁₁, C₁₂, and C₁₃.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the lengths of the arms 20, 22, and 24, are also preferably adjusted to correspond to the radial distances of the LEDs 26 from the center 44 of the hub 18. In this regard, although not shown in the embodiment of FIG. 4, the lengths of the arms 22, 24, and 26, may also be adjusted in accordance with the radial distances D₁-D₃ from the center 44 of the hub 18.

It is further noted herewith that the number of LEDs 26 and their positioning along the arms 20, 22, and 24, as well as the color, intensity and frequency of the light emitted therefrom, may be easily varied to produce a different or desired light effect. Likewise, a variation in the speed of the motor 30 may also be varied to produce a different light effect.

Referring to FIGS. 8-9, alternate positioning of the arms 20, 22 and 24 will now be described. In particular, these alternate embodiments depict the arms, which are mounted in the hub 18 so as to be pivotable to a desired forward position or angle B relative to axis Y, to create different light patterns. Specifically, the arms pivot to an angle B of about 0° (FIG. 9) to about 90° (FIGS. 1 and 3A), preferably about 40° to 80°, and more preferably about 45° (FIG. 8). It is noted herewith that the arms may be pre-fixed to a certain desired angle, or be pivotable by a user between various angles. Further, it is noted that it is within the scope of the present invention to configure various combinations of the arms at different angles. For instance, the arms 20, 22, and 24, could be pre-set (or variably set by the user) at 0°, 45°, and 90°, respectively.

FIG. 10 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the arms, which is similar to the embodiment disclosed in FIG. 6, except that the arms 20A, 22A, and 24A have a generally fan blade or wing-like configuration, wherein the LEDs 26 are preferably sandwiched between two suitable translucent, transparent, or opaque, rigid or flexible material. The lengths of the arms 20A, 22A, and 24A, and the positioning and number of LEDs 26 can vary in the same manner as described above regarding FIGS. 4 and 7.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 3A-B, and 5, the flow of power from the batteries B to the LEDs 26 will now be described. As shown, upon activation of the switch 42, the positive and negative wires 46 and 48 would carry the power to the motor 30 via brush connections 50 and 52, and the rack gear axle 54. From the motor 30, positive wire 56 carries the power to the motor output shaft 34, and onto the motor plate 36, while the negative current flows from the motor housing 58 to a brush connection 60 via wire 62. From the brush connection 60 and the motor plate 36, the power is supplied to the LEDs 26 via wires 28.

From a review of the above, it would be readily apparent that when the hub 18 is rotated by the motor 30, the arms 20, 22, and 24 would spin in a plane P₁ (or P₃) about axis Y (FIGS. 3A-B) producing concentric lighted circles, which would intersect the other planes of lighted circles as the housing 10 and the hub 18 are simultaneously rotated in a plane P₂ (or P₄) about axis X, thereby creating a 360° three-dimensional (3D) light pattern. It would also be appreciated that by using different exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. 4, 6, and 7, and variations thereof as noted above, myriad light patterns would be easily created.

It is also noted herewith that the arms 20 (20A), 22 (22A), and 24 (24A) are preferably of a flexible construction. As a result, the arms 20 (20A), 22 (22A), and 24 (24A) would bend or flex when the hub 18 is rotated, thereby creating an illumination pattern which would change constantly, depending on the speed of motor 30 and the transverse rotation of the housing 10 that can be varied by the size and relationship of the gears 38 and 40.

As noted above, the motor 30 is positioned inside the housing 10, and rotates therewith, along with the LED-carrying arms 20 (20A), 22 (22A), and 24 (24A). Therefore, the weight of the motor 30 would add to the weight of the housing 10, thereby increasing the torque. As a result, the arms will keep rotating for a longer period after the power is cut-off to the motor 30. This will lengthen the duration of the light pattern created by the device T.

While this invention has been described as having preferred sequences, ranges, steps, order of steps, materials, structures, symbols, indicia, graphics, color scheme(s), shapes, configurations, features, components, or designs, it is understood that it is capable of further modifications, uses and/or adaptations of the invention following in general the principle of the invention, and including such departures from the present disclosure as those come within the known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains, and as may be applied to the central features hereinbefore set forth, and fall within the scope of the invention and of the limits of the claims appended hereto or presented later. The invention, therefore, is not limited to the preferred embodiment(s) shown/described herein. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A three-dimensional (3D) illumination toy, comprising: a) a housing; b) a single motor for rotating said housing about a first axis; c) said single motor operably connected to said housing so as to be rotatable therewith; d) a hub operably connected to said housing and rotatable by said single motor about a second axis; e) said first and second axes intersecting each other at an angle of about 0° to 90°; and f) at least one arm attached to said hub and including at least one illumination member.
 2. The illumination toy of claim 1, wherein: a) said arm is flexible and includes a first end portion attached to said hub and a second free end portion.
 3. The illumination toy of claim 2, wherein: a) a plurality of said flexible arms each including at least one illumination member; and b) the illumination members are positioned at different points along the lengths of said corresponding flexible arms from a center of said hub.
 4. The illumination toy of claim 3, wherein: a) at least one of said flexible arms includes at least two illumination members.
 5. The illumination toy of claim 3, wherein: a) at least two of said flexible arms each includes at least two illumination members; and b) at least one of said flexible arms includes at least one illumination member.
 6. The illumination toy of claim 3, wherein: a) said first and second axes intersect each other at an angle of about 45° to 80°.
 7. The illumination toy of claim 3, wherein: a) said first and second axes intersect each other at an angle of about 75°.
 8. The illumination toy of claim 3, wherein: a) a first of said flexible arms includes at least two illumination members; b) a second of said flexible arms includes at least two illumination members; and c) a third of said flexible arms includes at least one illumination member positioned farthest from the center of the hub.
 9. The illumination toy of claim 8, wherein: a) the illumination member of said first of said flexible arms is positioned closest to the center of said hub.
 10. The illumination toy of claim 9, wherein: a) the illumination member of said second of said flexible arms is positioned at a point between the illumination members of said first and third flexible arms.
 11. The illumination toy of claim 10, wherein: a) said first and second axes intersect each other at an angle of about 70° to 80°.
 12. The illumination toy of claim 3, wherein: a) each of said flexible arms comprises a tubular member made of a generally translucent or transparent material.
 13. The illumination toy of claim 12, wherein: a) said illumination member comprises a light emitting device (LED) disposed interior of said tubular member.
 14. The illumination toy of claim 12, wherein: a) said illumination member comprises a light emitting device (LED) disposed exterior of said tubular member.
 15. The illumination toy of claim 1, wherein: a) said single motor is disposed inside of said housing and is rotatable therewith at least one complete revolution of 360°.
 16. The illumination toy of claim 15, wherein: a) said first and second axes intersect each other at an angle of about 45° to 80°.
 17. The illumination toy of claim 12, wherein: a) said first and second axes intersect each other at an angle of about 75°.
 18. The illumination toy of claim 1, wherein: a) a plurality of said arms each including at least one illumination member; and b) the illumination members are positioned at different points along the lengths of said corresponding arms from a center of said hub.
 19. The illumination toy of claim 18, wherein: a) each of said arms comprises a generally fan blade configuration.
 20. The illumination toy of claim 18, wherein: a) at least two of said arms each includes at least two illumination members; and b) at least one of said arms includes at least one illumination member.
 21. A three-dimensional (3D) illumination toy, comprising: a) a housing rotatably mounted on a support; b) a single motor for rotating said housing about a first axis; c) said single motor disposed inside of said housing so as to be rotatable therewith at least one complete revolution of 360°; d) a hub operably connected to said housing and rotatable by said single motor about a second axis; e) said first and second axes intersecting each other at an angle of about 0° to 90°; f) a plurality of arms attached to said hub and each including at least one illumination member; and g) each of said arms including a first end portion attached to said hub and a second free end portion.
 22. The illumination toy of claim 21, wherein: a) said single motor is disposed generally parallel to said housing.
 23. The illumination toy of claim 21, wherein: a) the illumination members are positioned at different points along the lengths of said corresponding arms from a center of said hub.
 24. The illumination toy of claim 23, wherein: a) said first and second axes intersect each other at an angle of about 45° to 80°.
 25. The illumination toy of claim 23, wherein: a) said first and second axes intersect each other at an angle of about 75°.
 26. The illumination toy of claim 23, wherein: a) at least two of said arms include at least two illumination members; and b) at least one of said arms includes at least one illumination member.
 27. The illumination toy of claim 26, wherein: a) said first and second axes intersect each other at an angle of about 70° to 80°.
 28. The illumination toy of claim 23, wherein: a) a first of said arms includes at least two illumination members; b) a second of said arms includes at least two illumination members; and c) a third of said arms includes at least one illumination member positioned farthest from the center of said hub.
 29. The illumination toy of claim 28, wherein: a) the illumination member of said first of said arms is positioned closest to the center of said hub.
 30. The illumination toy of claim 21, wherein: a) each of said arms includes a tubular member made of a generally translucent or transparent material.
 31. The illumination toy of claim 21, wherein: a) each of said arms comprises a generally fan blade configuration.
 32. The illumination toy of claim 30, wherein: a) said at least one illumination member comprises a light emitting device (LED) disposed interior of said tubular member.
 33. A three-dimensional (3D) illumination toy, comprising: a) a single motor mounted on a support and including an output member; b) said single motor being rotatable on said support about a first axis; c) a plurality of arms operably attached to said output member and each including at least one illumination member; d) said output member being rotatable by said single motor about a second axis; e) said first axis and second axes intersecting each other at an angle of about 0° to 90°; and f) each of said arms including a first end portion operably attached to said output member and a second free end portion.
 34. The illumination toy of claim 33, wherein: a) said first and second axes intersect each other at an angle of about 45° to 80°.
 35. A three-dimensional (3D) illumination toy, comprising: a) a housing; b) a single motor for rotating said housing about a first axis; c) said single motor operably connected to said housing so as to be rotatable therewith; d) a hub operably connected to said housing and rotatable by said single motor about a second axis; e) said first and second axes intersecting each other at an angle of about 0° to 90°; and f) at least one arm pivotally attached to said hub and including at least one illumination member.
 36. The illumination toy of claim 35, wherein: a) said arm is pivotable to form an angle of about 0° to 90° with said second axis.
 37. The illumination toy of claim 35, wherein: a) said arm is pivotable to form an angle of about 40° to 80° with said second axis.
 38. The illumination toy of claim 35, wherein: a) said arm is pivotable to form an angle of about 45° with said second axis.
 39. The illumination toy of claim 37, wherein: a) a plurality of said arms each including at least one illumination member; and b) the illumination members are positioned at different points along the lengths of said corresponding arms from a center of said hub.
 40. The illumination toy of claim 39, wherein: a) at least one of said arms includes at least two illumination members.
 41. The illumination toy of claim 37, wherein: a) a first of said arms includes at least two illumination members; b) a second of said arms includes at least two illumination members; and c) a third of said arms includes at least one illumination member positioned farthest from the center of the hub.
 42. The illumination toy of claim 41, wherein: a) the illumination member of said first of said arms is positioned closest to the center of said hub.
 43. The illumination toy of claim 42, wherein: a) the illumination member of said second of said arms is positioned at a point between the illumination members of said first and third arms.
 44. The illumination toy of claim 35, wherein: a) said single motor is disposed inside of said housing and is rotatable therewith at least one complete revolution of 360°.
 45. A method of creating a varying three-dimensional (3D) illumination, comprising: a) providing an illumination device, comprising: i) a housing rotatably mounted on a support; ii) a single motor for rotating said housing about a first axis; iii) the single motor operably connected to the housing so as to be rotatable therewith; iv) a hub operably connected to the housing and rotatable by the single motor about a second axis intersecting the first axis at an angle of about 0° to 90°; v) a plurality of flexible arms attached to the hub and each including at least one illumination member; and vi) the illumination members being positioned at different points along the lengths of the corresponding arms from the center of the hub; b) activating the motor to rotate the hub, to thereby rotate the arms to create a plurality of concentric illumination patterns in multiple planes that intersect each other due to a simultaneous rotation of the housing.
 46. The method of claim 45, wherein: the illumination device comprises three arms to thereby create three concentric illumination patterns.
 47. The method of claim 46, wherein: the first and second axes intersect each other at an angle of about 45° to 80°.
 48. The method of claim 45, wherein: the illumination device comprises first, second, and third arms, each including at least one illumination member, at least two illumination members, and at least two illumination members, respectively; and wherein the at least five illumination members are positioned at different points on the respective arms from the center of the hub to thereby create at least five concentric patterns.
 49. The method of claim 48, wherein: the first and second axes intersect each other at an angle of about 70° to 80°.
 50. The method of claim 45, wherein: the arms are pivotally attached to the hub. 